One for All

Rumour Mill, Chandigarh

Simply, unassumingly friendly.' That's the mission statement on the menu at Rumour Mill. From a menu that has classic Canadian poutine and also crostini options below Rs 200, a range of sandwiches and crepes below Rs 300, and an eclectic theme, the spirit is inclusive and the vibe that of openness. It has no hang-ups of being a global-cuisine-only place or being an upscale cafe, and has a range of Indian fare. The coffee is dark and borders on the bitter, just how it should be, and the mains come in lavish portions, making sharing possible and pleasant. No wonder, it is always full of students and youngsters. What makes it stand out is the curation of its little library and the large number of events it holds. Where else will you find Arundhati Roy and old issues of Granta rubbing shoulders with some well-worn Wodehouse classics and a collection of Premchand? The events organised here have had participation from best-selling children's author and story writer Lalita Iyer to the activist-traveloguer Anuradha Beniwal. Groups of students arrange poetry slams and storytelling meet-ups here on a monthly basis. The music is often spontaneous and jams happen as often as the music bug bites one of the guests. From the pricing to the selection of dishes, books and music (crowd-sourced, and these days a mishmash of Coldplay, Sia and Beatles covers by Florence and the Machine, with some Coke Studio from Pakistan thrown in), to the spirit behind the events, this place is young in how it keeps things current.

At SCO 187, Inner Market, Sector 7

Meal for two Rs 300 Tel 0172-4630818

Published writers too come here often, and the place values and promotes literary culture. Roop Kanwal, student, GGDSD